This paper examines the different views about the definition of "literacy" and how it is applied in the Zambian context. It argues that the absence of a contextual definition of literacy or illiteracy has raised some doubt on the magnitude of the problem and the extent to which success has been achieved through various literacy…

Lesotho's educational system and development are largely influenced by missionaries and colonisers who taught the three 'Rs' (reading, writing and numeracy skills) to the Basotho. Most of those enlightened Basotho were to carry on the duties of either educating others or as missionary workers. Some became clerks, interpreters, police officers,…

Describes the Active Reading Techniques System (ACTS), developed at Ohio State University as an instructional system for use by tutors of adult learners. ACTS consists of five techniques, each of which are described separately: Language Experience Technique, Information Reading Technique, Life-Skills Technique, Context Clues Technique, and Silent…

Traces the progress of a beginning adult reader along the literacy continuum shown by child readers. Provides suggestions for teaching reading and writing to beginners which build on a learner's personal experiences and knowledge of language. (ARH)

Describes a game used to teach adults to recognize and comprehend words and phrases basic to their lives. (TO)

Designed to encourage newspaper involvement in adult literacy and to assist in launching newspaper literacy campaigns, this handbook complements the American Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation's slide/video media show. The handbook is in five sections: (1) The Challenge; (2) Why Become Involved in Literacy? (discussing personal and social…

This package of instructional materials is designed to aid adults in prison to perform the functional skill of applying for a job. A teacher's guide outlines 14 hours of instruction. Other materials consist of vocabulary flash cards, a student's work sheet and answer sheet, discussion ideas and activities, a sample job application, and brochures…

This study developed an inventory that could be used to assess adult beginning readers' attitudes toward reading in the three attitudinal dimensions of beliefs, feelings, and behaviors and in five reading situations identified by a sample of adult beginning readers. Suggested uses for the inventory were generated. (Author/CH)

Sixteen volunteer aides living in inner city Milwaukee were selected according to education (a high school diploma), age (21 years or older), experience working with people, dependability, and availability. They were divided into four groups, and each group was assigned an instructor from the Marquette University reading staff. Ten weekly training…

Describes and analyzes how an Urban Appalachian woman who could not read or write progressed to functional levels when instruction involved her in reading her own language. Argues that educators who failed to acknowledge her language as an integral aspect of her as a learner may have denied her previous access to literacy. (SR)

Ten literacy pilot programs developed by the Adult Basic Education Society (ABES) of Pakistan in Gujranwala, Pakistan, between 1963 and 1973 were analyzed and evaluated to evolve a series of adult literacy program development guidelines. The programs were evaluated on the basis of an eleven-category evaluation system developed by Cyril Houle in…

A basic consideration in selecting teachers of adult nonreaders should be the characteristics of the adult nonreader. While training and experience are essential, the most desirable characteristics of the effective teacher do not necessarily require degrees, certificates, or coursework. An awareness of the adult nonreader's attitudes,…

This package of instructional materials is designed to aid adults in prison to perform the functional skill of applying for food stamps. The materials consist of instructions for teachers, a sample application for food stamps, a student's work sheet and answer sheet, vocabulary flash cards, and resource materials on food stamps. (MKM)